The government is increasing its support fund for farmers severely affected in the Haor regions, Agriculture and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid said on May 2, 2026, in Cumilla. He stated that the government is continuously collecting information from district administrations and the Department of Agriculture about those impacted. The initiative aims to expand financial assistance for the most affected farmers.

Speaking to journalists after inaugurating the district-level phase of the Nobo Kurri Sports-2026 at the Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium gymnasium, the minister added that the government will purchase paddy directly from farmers at fair prices through announcements at the union level. This measure is expected to increase farmers’ profits by up to thirty percent. Additionally, a three-month food assistance program will be implemented for the most affected Haor farmers, and other affected groups will also be included under new support projects.

Earlier, at a separate event at Cumilla Victoria Government College, the minister emphasized that agriculture is the main driving force of Bangladesh’s economy and that enhancing farmers’ dignity strengthens the nation’s overall standing.

City Bank PLC, one of Bangladesh’s leading private banks, recorded a 162% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter of 2026, ending on March 31. The bank’s post-tax profit rose to Tk 2.41 billion from Tk 920 million in the same period of 2025, while earnings per share increased from Tk 0.6 to Tk 1.6. Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin noted that despite the strong profit growth, he was concerned about the slowdown in credit growth across the sector.

The bank’s strong performance was driven mainly by higher core banking income. Interest income from loans rose 14% to Tk 13.06 billion, while investment income surged from Tk 6.03 billion to Tk 10.14 billion, accounting for 32% of total operating income. Fee and commission income also grew by 27% due to higher foreign exchange earnings, card-related fees, and trade commissions.

Total income increased by 38% to Tk 13.38 billion, while expenses were contained at Tk 5.95 billion, improving the cost-to-income ratio from 52% to 44%. Operating profit rose 61% to Tk 7.43 billion, supported by improved asset quality and reduced provisioning requirements.

Continuous storms and heavy rains over recent days have caused extensive damage to vegetable cultivation in Naogaon district, leading to a sharp rise in prices across local markets. Retail prices of most vegetables have increased by 10 to 20 taka per kilogram, with eggplant and pointed gourd selling for 70–80 taka, and other vegetables such as papaya, yardlong bean, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, okra, and taro priced between 50 and 60 taka. Imported drumsticks from India are selling for around 200 taka per kilogram. In contrast, potato prices remain stable at 25–30 taka per kilogram, offering some relief to middle- and lower-income families.

Farmers in Manda, Badalgachhi, and Sadar upazilas reported severe crop losses, reducing supply to local and national wholesale markets. Vegetable farmer Ataur Rahman said his crops were heavily damaged, while wholesalers confirmed adequate potato stocks of both local and hybrid varieties. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that 21,970 hectares were cultivated with potatoes this season, producing about 435,620 metric tons.

Officials expect vegetable fields to recover quickly if weather conditions improve, which could stabilize supply and lower prices in the coming weeks.

Indian Assistant High Commissioner Manoj Kumar visited the Burimari land port in Lalmonirhat on Saturday afternoon. During the visit, he met customs, port, and immigration officials, and held a meeting with local traders. The visit included discussions on bilateral trade activities and overall improvement of cross-border commerce between Bangladesh and India.

Manoj Kumar stated that he discussed existing complexities in import and export operations at the Burimari land port with business representatives. He mentioned that work would be undertaken to address restrictions on certain goods that are allowed through other ports but not through Burimari. He also assured that steps would be taken to resolve issues related to business and other types of visas.

Later, he visited the zero line of the Burimari land port check post to observe the activities of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) and discussed operational matters with their officials.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Aminur Rashid Yasin said that farmers are the main strength of Bangladesh and that the country will become more self-reliant and stronger through agricultural development and the enhancement of farmers’ dignity. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of an inter-department debate competition at Comilla Victoria Government College.

The minister stated that he is proud to be both a farmer’s son and a farmer himself, noting that social attitudes toward farming have changed as people now take pride in their agricultural roots. He emphasized that logical reasoning and knowledge are essential tools for progress, urging students to practice healthy debate and intellectual engagement. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring a livable and secure world for future generations.

Discussing farmer welfare, Yasin explained that the introduction of the Farmer Card aims to help producers receive fair prices by aligning production with regional demand. He expressed hope that technology-based, planned agriculture would strengthen Bangladesh’s food security in the future.

U.S. low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has announced the closure of its operations after a White House rescue proposal failed. The company said in a statement early Saturday that rising oil prices and other pressures had significantly affected its future prospects. All flights have been canceled, and passengers were advised not to go to airports.

The airline cited the global oil price surge and fuel shortages following the outbreak of the Iran war as key reasons for its financial collapse. The sharp increase in jet fuel costs led Spirit to bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years. The company stated that with no additional funding available, winding down operations was its only option.

The Trump administration had proposed a $500 million rescue plan that would have given the government a major ownership stake in the airline, but the plan faced criticism and ultimately failed.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government is considering constructing a double rail line on the Dhaka-Sylhet route as part of a broader plan to enhance railway connectivity across Bangladesh. He explained that building new roads could lead to the loss of agricultural land, so the government is prioritizing rail expansion instead. The announcement was made on Saturday during a civic gathering organized by the Sylhet City Corporation.

The Prime Minister also stated that the government has undertaken canal excavation programs to prevent waterlogging and ensure proper water management. These initiatives aim to reduce flooding during heavy rainfall and retain water during the dry season. The remarks highlight the administration’s focus on sustainable infrastructure development and environmental management.

The proposed double rail line project, if implemented, is expected to improve transportation efficiency between Dhaka and Sylhet while minimizing environmental and agricultural impacts.

An event marking May Day and International Workers’ Day was held in Dhaka, calling for the establishment of workers’ rights and a corruption-free administration to ensure sustainable national development. The discussion, organized by Citizens Against Corruption (CAC) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, gathered representatives from various professions under the theme “Workers’ Rights, End of Corruption: Transparent Campaign for a Prosperous Future.”

Former secretary and ex-BTRC chairman Syed Margub Morshed stated that sustainable progress is impossible without worker-friendly policies and a corruption-free administration, emphasizing coordination and accountability among the state, employers, and workers. CAC chairman Yusuf Hossain highlighted that workers remain deprived of fair wages, safe workplaces, and social dignity, urging effective labor policy implementation. He also stressed the need for safety, healthcare, and social protection for workers in key sectors such as garments, construction, and transport.

Economist Dr. Mostafizur Rahman described workers’ rights as both a moral duty and an economic necessity, while other speakers, including cultural and political figures, called for a social movement against corruption alongside labor rights protection.

Pakistan has opened a land trade corridor to Iran while the country faces a blockade on its ports and ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The new routes connect Pakistan’s Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports with Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings. Officials said the Gwadar-Gabd corridor is the shortest, reducing travel time to two to three hours compared to 16 to 18 hours from Karachi, and cutting transport costs by up to 55 percent.

Analysts noted that this corridor could reduce Pakistan’s dependence on Afghanistan, whose relations with Islamabad have deteriorated since October last year due to border clashes. Security analyst Iftikhar Firdaus said the route allows Pakistan to bypass Afghanistan entirely for westward trade, positioning it as a key entry point for China-backed trade routes into West Asia. However, experts also warned of potential security risks along the border.

Observers believe the move could help sustain trade between the two countries despite regional instability, though questions remain about its impact on U.S. pressure tactics against Tehran and ongoing mediation efforts by Islamabad.

A mobile court in Porsha upazila of Naogaon fined Nahar Filling Station Tk 20,000 for selling diesel below the correct weight. The inspection took place around 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Sarai Gachhi Bazar station, where the court found that customers were receiving 110 grams less diesel per five liters. The discrepancy amounted to a value shortfall of about Tk 12.50 per five liters.

The mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Rakibul Islam, imposed the fine under the Consumer Rights Protection Act. After the penalty was collected, the fuel measurement system was recalibrated, and the station was allowed to resume sales.

The action highlights local enforcement of consumer protection laws aimed at ensuring fair trade practices in fuel distribution within the region.

The Barapukuria thermal power plant’s Unit 1 in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, resumed electricity generation early Friday after remaining closed for six days. The 125-megawatt unit returned to production at 4:22 a.m. following repairs, currently generating about 55 to 60 megawatts for the national grid. Officials expect the restart to slightly increase overall power supply.

According to the plant’s chief engineer, the unit had been shut down on April 25 due to a burst boiler pipe. Repairs were completed before the unit was brought back online. Meanwhile, overhauling work continues on Unit 3, which a Chinese contractor expects to complete by May 15. Once operational, the unit is expected to further stabilize electricity supply.

The Barapukuria plant has three units, two of which were already out of operation. The latest shutdown occurred when stones mixed with coal damaged boiler tubes, temporarily halting production across the facility.

Chittagong Port Authority has achieved a new operational milestone as the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) recorded its highest-ever single-day container handling. On April 30, under the management of the port authority and terminal operator Chittagong Drydock Limited, a total of 5,709 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled within 24 hours. This surpassed the previous record of 5,484 TEUs set on April 11 at the same terminal, marking a rapid improvement in port performance.

Across all terminals, Chittagong Port handled a total of 10,162 TEUs during the same 24-hour period, which officials described as a significant indicator of the port’s growing capacity and efficiency. Port Secretary Syed Refayet Hamim said the achievement would play an important role in expanding maritime trade and enhancing the port’s overall capability.

He credited the success to the tireless efforts of workers who continued operations despite intense heat and adverse weather, and extended congratulations to all officials, employees, and stakeholders involved.

The United States announced sanctions on three Iranian foreign exchange companies—Opal Exchange, Radin Exchange, and Tahayori Guarantee Society—on May 2, 2026. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, these firms allegedly helped convert proceeds from Iranian oil sales into currencies that could be more easily used by Iran’s military forces. The sanctions include asset freezes within the United States and prohibit American individuals and businesses from conducting transactions with the targeted entities.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant stated that the move reflects Washington’s commitment to disrupting Iran’s financial networks. He emphasized that the United States would continue to target the Iranian government’s ability to raise, transfer, and repatriate funds. The announcement underscores ongoing U.S. efforts to limit Iran’s access to international financial systems.

The sanctions are expected to further strain Iran’s financial operations and restrict its military funding channels, though the broader economic impact remains to be seen.

After a year-long suspension, border trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar has resumed through the Teknaf land port in Cox’s Bazar. On Friday morning, a boat carrying timber from Myanmar’s Maungdaw area, controlled by the Arakan Army, docked at the Teknaf jetty. The port’s operating company, United Land Port Limited, confirmed the arrival of the cargo vessel.

Omar Faruk, owner of Messrs FRB International Limited, said that one cargo boat has anchored at the port and that five to six more boats carrying goods such as ginger, dried fish, and betel nuts are on their way. The trade had been halted in April 2025 after tensions arose over extortion demands, prompting Myanmar’s junta government to suspend cross-border commerce, causing financial losses for many traders.

Local Member of Parliament Shahjahan Chowdhury stated that the Teknaf land port has reopened and that a livestock corridor at Shahparir Dwip will also be launched soon.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain warned that allowing individuals accused of embezzling billions from banks to regain ownership would endanger the economy and severely affect workers. Speaking at a May Day rally organized by Jatiya Sramik Shakti in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on Friday, he said the economy was already on the brink and that such decisions would collapse financial flows, reduce employment, and lower wages.

Hossain added that most workers still live below the minimum wage, with their children deprived of education and opportunities, trapping families in generational labor. He argued that returning ownership to those who once looted banks would further weaken the national economy.

At the same event, NCP senior joint coordinator and Noakhali-6 MP Hannan Masud said the economy survives on remittances from expatriates, while corrupt elites misuse those funds. He criticized the appointment of a garments businessman as Bangladesh Bank governor, claiming the sector is linked to major money laundering. NCP joint convener Ali Ahsan Junaed called for fair wages, safety, and representation for workers.